"What's wrong with that?" - Ravi Shastri drops 'spirit of cricket' remark on James Anderson-Jasprit Bumrah exchange during 2021 Lord's Test

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri opened up about the face-off between Jasprit Bumrah and James Anderson during the Lord's Test between England and India in 2021. He also talked about the spirit of cricket, saying that everything that's in the rules shouldn't get debatable.

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled a barrage of short balls at James Anderson during the Lord's Test between England and India in 2021. This happened when the England pacer was batting and India's speedster had the ball in his hand at the end of the day's play.

The two pacers exchanged some words between them. After that Jasprit Bumrah kept bowling short to James Anderson and the England pacer felt that his Indian counterpart was deliberately trying to injure him. This led to a massive controversy as players of both teams were involved in it.

This pumped the Indian team and made them come up with a solid performance. Jasprit Bumrah played a massive role along with Mohammed Siraj as India defeated England to register the famous win under Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli.

Ravi Shastri, who was head coach of the team at that time, talked about the face-off between Jasprit Bumrah and James Anderson, claiming that what India's pacer did was not wrong as there's no rule which states that bouncers shouldn't be bowled to tailenders.

Ravi Shastri took a dig at England, saying that if they had a problem with Jasprit Bumrah bowling bouncers to James Anderson, then they should've declared the innings and saved their fast bowlers from getting injured. Speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, he said:

"What's wrong with that? You got a bat in your hand. There's no rule that tail-enders you shouldn't (bounce). Then declare the innings, no? If it gets too hot in the kitchen and you don't want to be there, then stay inside, be clear, your fingers are fine, everything is fine, and you can bowl as much as you want so that you're not injured."

Forget spirit. I believe in rules - Ravi Shastri on spirit on cricket

Ravi Shastri further talked about the spirit of cricket, saying that he believes in rules and highlighted how Ravichandran Ashwin managed Jos Buttler, claiming that there is no reason by bowlers should warn batters to leave the crease early.

Shastri added that he hates warnings and if it's written in rules then there's no reason to whinge and moan after it. He added:

"Forget spirit. I believe in rules. You (Ashwin) mankaded a guy, it is rules, there's a rule book, observe the damn rules. A guy running two steps ahead, 'It's not fair, you should warn me.' For what warn?

"The rule says you're cheating. I hate warnings. I ll take the bails off straightaway. On your bike now! Rule book page 33. Don't whinge and moan after the event. It's there. Its same for both teams," he concluded.